how do you produce a phosphate finish?

[Brandon T.]

without shipping parts off how does one create a phosphate finish on them? I know of several pieces on my 68 that call for this finish..is there a solution kit thats sold online or what?

thanks

[John D.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

Bob, See Eastwood for the kits. I have used a ton of other companies products for blackening and I like Eastwood the best. I don't have their address but they do have a website. John

[Chuck S.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

The process of applying phosphate finishes is called "Parkerizing". The best known use of Parkerizing is for production of military small arms, but phosphate finishes are widely used in other industries for metal finishing.

Much past discussion of restoration phosphate finishing is in the archives, and there have been at least two articles on recreating phosphate finishes in past Restorer magazines.

For Parkerizing supplies, see here: http://www.calvan.com/

[Michael B.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

Just found out an interesting qurk about Calvan.com. They sell Automotive/Motorcycle formulas and Gunsmith formulas. I emailed them and asked if there was a difference and they said yes but they do not offer the Automotive/Motorcycle formula in a large combo kit and they would not substitute. (even though they offer individual bottles at the same price)

They have another website http://www.parkerizingkits.com/index.html that offers product for Harley/Indian in the large combo kit although they didn't bother to direct me to that site.

[Randy R.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

Try shootersolutions.com for the chemicals. I put the solution in a plastic container and heat it in a microwave. Put a cover on the container.

Randy

[Henry S.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

Try shootersolutions.com for the chemicals. I put the solution in a plastic container and heat it in a microwave. Put a cover on the container.

Randy

Randy,
Which kit did you order? Does it give you the black phosphate finish? Thanks, Shooter (no relation to shooters solutions unless they are a "long lost" cousin haha)

[Patrick H.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

I can't recall if I bought a small 8 oz size or a larger size, but his products do work well.

Just realize that you have to wade through his not-high-school level writing to figure out his instructions. I think that if he had someone re-write his instructions and his web site he'd sell 4x more product. I was glad I'd used another brand previously so that I understood how the product was supposed to work.

Patrick

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

Patrick:
I bought the same product and decided I would hire an interpreter to put the directions in readable and understandable form. I called the owner and asked 1 question and was on the phone for about 45 minutes. Ask him what time it is and he will tell you how to make a clock! Kidding aside, he really wants to offer as much help as possible since it is not just "heat and dunk" like some other products. I am going to try to use it in few days and will report back on results, etc.
Jeff

[Alan S.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

Hi Brandon,
I've had good success using Manganese Phosphate (very dark gray) and Zinc Phophate ( lighter gray) from Palmetto Enterprises.
If the parts are CLEAN and the solution is at the proper temperature the process is quite straight forward.
Regards,
Alan

[Patrick H.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

Patrick:
I bought the same product and decided I would hire an interpreter to put the directions in readable and understandable form. I called the owner and asked 1 question and was on the phone for about 45 minutes. Ask him what time it is and he will tell you how to make a clock! Kidding aside, he really wants to offer as much help as possible since it is not just "heat and dunk" like some other products. I am going to try to use it in few days and will report back on results, etc.
Jeff

Please do report back.
I heated it on the stove (!) and have run several batches, all with excellent results. If you learned more from him please let me know.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

Hi Brandon,
I've had good success using Manganese Phosphate (very dark gray) and Zinc Phophate ( lighter gray) from Palmetto Enterprises.
If the parts are CLEAN and the solution is at the proper temperature the process is quite straight forward.
Regards,
Alan

Theirs is the brand I used previously.

[Randy R.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

I purchased both the zinc and manganese solutions and have used both. If I recall, one of the kits has both kinds.

Randy

[Patrick H.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

I purchased both the zinc and manganese solutions and have used both. If I recall, one of the kits has both kinds.

Randy

Shootersolutions doesn't carry the zinc type any longer, so I would suspect your kit is a few years old or more?

[Randy R.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

Yes it is a few years old. Check on the zinc parkerizing kits. I think that is what they call zinc phosphate solution. Before treating, I would degrease and bead blast.
Randy

[Steve G.]

Re: how do you produce a phosphate finish?

I was searching thru archives for advice on parkerizing and found this...

So is Eatwood's kit really parkerizing or iis it something else? Is the consensus that any parkerizing kit will do, or are there some kits that are either easier to use, or give better results? Do the parts need to be bead-blasted first? Has anyone experienced any fit issues after parkerizing bolts? thanks